West Chester judge named in ticket probe

A Chester County district judge was one of 12 people named in a federal indictment Thursday for allegedly “fixing” Philadelphia traffic tickets for those with political and social connections.

Magisterial District Judge Mark A. Bruno, who presides over District Court 15-1-01 in West Chester, was one of nine elected judges and three others who were named in the now unsealed indictment from the United States District Court in Philadelphia. According to the indictment, the accused conspirators used the Philadelphia Traffic Court to give preferential treatment to certain ticket holders, defrauding the city and commonwealth of revenue.

Bruno was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and aiding and abetting. According to a statement from the Justice Department, if convicted Bruno could face up to 60 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $750,000 fine.

On Thursday, Chester County President Judge James P. MacElree II ordered that Bruno be relieved of his duties presiding over District Court 15-1-01, which handled cases from the western wards of the borough. He is also not permitted in the court until the case is resolved.

The Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania also filed petitons in the Court of Judicial Discipline asking for interim suspensions without pay for Bruno and five other judges named in the indictment, pending the final outcome of the charges.

Bruno’s charges are just one small part of a sweeping 77 count federal indictment that accuses Philadelphia ward leaders, local politicians, and associates of the Democratic City Committee of contacting defendants who were seeking preferential treatment. The defendants also allegedly “fixed” tickets for family members and friends, the indictment said.

Attorney Vincent DiFabio of Paoli represents Bruno. Contacted Thursday morning, DiFabio said he had not seen the indictment so could not comment specifically on any allegations against his client. However, he said he had been generally aware of the accusation that Bruno may have asked for help in “fixing” a ticket in Philadelphia for a friend.

“My initial reaction is that we intend to vigorously defend these charges,” he said. “It appears he was just swept up in this overall investigation.” Bruno was not available for comment but was aware of the charges and would appear later in court if necessary, DiFabio said.

According to the indictment, Bruno had filled in hearing cases for a week or two in Philadelphia Traffic Court. There, presumably, he came to know various people involved in the court administration.

The indictment states that on Jan. 14, 2011, Bruno contacted Fortunato N. Perri Sr., a Philadelphia judge who served on and off in traffic court since 1997, concerning “fixing a citation” received by a person identified only as “J.M.”

Perri agreed to “look into it” stating that he still had “a lot of connections” in the traffic court.

Perri also allegedly reminded Bruno that he was the one responsible for Bruno being allowed to work on the traffic court, presiding over cases. The conversation was captured on a wiretap of Perri’s phone.

There was no information in the indictment what became of the ticket, and what it was for.

A source who asked to remain anonymous because he had not been authorized to speak about the allegations said that J.M. was a social acquaintance of Bruno’s who lived in the West Chester area and worked for a software company in Newtown Square.

There was no allegation in the multi-page indictment that Bruno was involved in fixing tickets for others when he presided in traffic court, or that he engaged in any misconduct in his work in West Chester.

His action came almost a year from when MacElree ordered another district judge, Rita Arnold of Downingtown, relieved of her duties after she was charged with judicial misconduct by the state Judicial Conduct Board. Arnold was eventually suspended one month without pay, but was allowed to return to her duties this past fall.

Bruno, 50, of West Chester is a three-term incumbent who was first elected district magisterial judge in 1999, after having served as a state constable in the West Chester court. He is a native of West Chester.

The indictment was announced by U.S. District Attorney Zane David Memeger and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge John Brosnan. The Federal Bureau of Investigation headed the investigation.

Federal officials alleged “a widespread culture of giving breaks on traffic citations to friends, family, the politically-connected and business associates,” by judges in Philadelphia. But defense attorneys suggested the accused made no money from the favors and that the court has worked that way for a century.

The defendants include six current and former Philadelphia traffic court judges and three suburban judges, including Bruno, who had stints at the court. Among them is former Traffic Court Judge Willie Singletary, who had been kicked out of office for showing cellphone photos of his genitals to a female clerk. Singletary and several others surrendered to the FBI Thursday morning and were due in court Thursday afternoon. A court clerk and two businessmen also were charged.Philadelphia ward leaders and Democratic City Committee associates, along with family and friends, regularly contacted the judges to seek help with traffic tickets. Judges would trade favors if the case wasn’t assigned to them and would either dismiss or reduce the ticket, helping people avoid points on their licenses, authorities charged.

Staff reporter Michael P. Rellahan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.